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Time To Talk: Uncomfortable, But Important

A Guide for Adolescents and Teens

It's hard to start the conversation about your mental health, but our guide can help you get started.

It's time to talk about your mental health when...

You just don't "feel right" and aren't sure why.

Your thoughts or things you do just don't seem the way other people think or behave.

Your thoughts, feelings or behaviors are starting to affect your life at home, school or with friends in a bad way.

You've had some of the signs and symptoms below for more than a week:

Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or worthless

Sensitivity to sound, sight, smell, or touch

Feeling overly worried

Not being able to do school work

Feeling like your brain is playing tricks on you and hearing knocking or scratching sounds, or your name being called

Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, or withdrawal from others

Changes in sleep patterns or energy levels

Irritability or restlessness

Problems with concentration, memory or thinking

Loss of appetite or overeating

Signs And Symptoms That You Shouldn't Ignore

Thoughts or plans of killing or hurting one's self or another person

Hearing voices or seeing things that no one else can hear or see

Unexplainable changes in thinking, speech, or writing

Being overly suspicious or fearful

Serious drop in school performance

Sudden personality changes that are bizarre or out of character

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text 741741, go to your local Emergency Room or call 911.

Who Can You Talk To?

Find a person you trust. Someone who will listen to you, and help you plan your next steps. While this could be a family member (parents, grandparents, aunt, or uncle), you can also seek out resources at your school (nurse or guidance counselor), church (rabbi, pastor, youth group leader), or community (coach, neighbor).